Quthing, June 05 – – The Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Mr Pitso Lesaoana has congratulated and urged beneficiaries of renewable energy solutions to ensure their safety and protection.
This he said during the launch of Ntlafatsa Bana project held at Telle, Mount Moorosi on Friday.
The project is intended to improve child wellbeing, strengthen household resilience and expand access to suitable energy through provision of solar home systems and clean cookstoves to child grants program households with children under five years.
He said the initiative signifies the Ministry’s commitment in strengthening vulnerable households so that they could live with dignity and reach their full potential.
He indicated that the launch also marked a milestone in alleviating poverty as beneficiaries will no longer spend money on fuel or rely on firewood.
“The equipment will expand access to clean energy and create safer, healthier and supportive environment for children” he added.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Energy and Mining Mr Lejone Mpotjoane also urged beneficiaries to care for energy solutions and share with neighbours so that they could live harmoniously based on electricity challenges facing the constituency.
He also assured that they will receive electricity supply, highlighting that Masiu and Moqalo villages will soon be connected.
On the other hand, UNICEF Representative Mr. Deepak Bhaskaran said the initiative signifies their commitment to improving lives of children across the country, saying access to clean energy solutions will contribute to safer homes, improved well-being and greater household resilience.
He also indicated that Ntlafatsa Bana project has assisted families to improve nutrition practices and access to clean water amongst others.
On behalf of the European Union, Mrs Marcella Veneziani said renewable energy is one of EU pillars, saying children need light to learn, clean water to drink thus families should not spent money to access fuel.
She therefore urged youth to learn how renewable energy solutions are cared for so that they could sustain families for years.
Mount Moorosi Member of Parliament Mr. Thuso Masetlela expressed gratitude over the project, saying it will go a long way in enhancing livelihoods of beneficiaries since there is no electricity in the area.
On behalf of beneficiaries, Mrs. Matlotliso Mabitle commended the Ministry of Social Development, through the support of above-mentioned partners for not only promoting access to education for their children but for going an extra mile through provision of renewable energy solutions.
Meanwhile renewable energy solutions will be provided to 1,000 child grants programme households with children under five years across nine community councils based in the districts of Quthing, Qacha’s Nek, Thaba-Tseka, Leribe and Mohale’s Hoek.
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